discussing our favorite books

[WildFins]

Not online resources or YouTube tutorials. I'm talking about actual books, the kind you can hold in your hands and display on a bookshelf.

I recently acquired the first two volumes of the Baensch Aquarium Atlas, and I'm currently on the hunt for a reasonably priced copy of Volume 3. While browsing through some older posts, I stumbled upon a recommendation for the Manual of Fish Health, which I've since purchased. The content is engaging and informative so far.

I'm interested in exploring more books on fish keeping, particularly those written by scientists or qualified professionals in the field. I find it reassuring to know that the information I'm reading comes from credible sources, rather than unverified online claims. What other book recommendations would you suggest for a serious aquarist like myself?

[graye]

I'm a big fan of specialized books, like Anton Lamboj's work on west central African Cichlids - they offer a depth of knowledge that's hard to find elsewhere. If I could go back in time, I'd grab an early edition of William T Innes's book - it's full of innovative ideas from a pre-technology era, and its age only adds to its charm.

The Baensch Aquarium Atlas is indeed brilliant. What specific fish groups are you most interested in learning about? For general knowledge, Baensch is hard to beat, but once you start getting into specialized topics, the costs can add up quickly. I've got a few favorite books on my shelf that I'd love to recommend, but unfortunately, many of them are older and harder to find these days.

[WildFins]

I'm a big fan of specialized books, like Anton Lamboj's work on west central African Cichlids - they offer a depth of knowledge that's hard to find elsewhere. If I could go back in time, I'd grab an early edition of William T Innes's book - it's full of innovative ideas from a pre-technology era, and its age only adds to its charm.

The Baensch Aquarium Atlas is indeed brilliant. What specific fish groups are you most interested in learning about? For general knowledge, Baensch is hard to beat, but once you start getting into specialized topics, the costs can add up quickly. I've got a few favorite books on my shelf that I'd love to recommend, but unfortunately, many of them are older and harder to find these days.

At the moment, I'm focusing on general knowledge, but if I had to narrow it down to a specific species, I'd probably choose bettas - they're my main project right now.

[coltin]

Baensch Atlas of Freshwater Fishes volume 1 covers the basics - filter cycles, plants, diseases, and common fish. The other volumes are more specialized or focus on saltwater fishes. For disease information, I found the Manual of Fish Health to be quite helpful.

If you're looking for a good species identification book, the TFH Atlas of freshwater fishes is worth considering. Although, I recall they used to be quite pricey (around $400). They also have a saltwater atlas.

As I started to specialize in certain groups of fish, I began buying books that catered to those specific interests. When I got into Australian native fishes, I picked up any relevant books I could find, and then narrowed it down to rainbowfish. I even joined ANGFA and got access to their newsletters and the Fishes of SAHUL publication.

I've also got a collection of books on various fish groups like Rift Lake cichlids, Labyrinths, and Discus. I tend to buy books that align with my current interests. I even ventured into coral books, including a coral identification guide that came in three volumes - those were big and heavy. I managed to get a copy of an Invertebrate Zoology book from Curtain University, which was quite pricey (over $500).

I used to collect fish magazines as well, but now I prefer the digital format - it's more convenient and cost-effective. I followed a similar pattern when I was into bird-keeping in the 70s and 80s. I started with general books and then moved on to specialized titles, like those on Australian finches or Neophema parrots.

For second-hand fish books and magazines, I used to rely on a shop called Seahorse in America - they had a great selection and prices. Unfortunately, I couldn't find them online. These days, I often browse the CSIRO bookshop online - they have a wide range of titles on various scientific topics, including marine science and freshwater science.

[WildFins]

I've been searching for a specific book that I think would be really valuable for my aquarium project. It's called Culturing Live Foods: A Step-by-Step Guide for Culturing One's Own Food for the Home Aquarium, written by Mike Hellweg. The problem is, it comes with a pretty hefty price tag - over $100 on Amazon. I'm hesitant to spend that kind of money, but I've heard great things about the book and I think it would be a worthwhile investment for my aquarium goals.

[oldsage]

"For identifying species, I'd recommend the TFH Atlas of freshwater fishes - it's a valuable resource. I picked up a used copy for a decent price, around $50, which is a far cry from the $400 it used to cost."

[Bisco]

Regarding the Baensch series, I'd like to mention the Photo Index 1-5. This single volume essentially condenses the information from volumes 1-5 into a synthetic format, utilizing code conventions. It's far more than just a collection of photos - it's a comprehensive resource that covers a vast amount of information. Although it's true that many new species have been introduced to the hobby since its publication, and numerous name changes have occurred, this book remains incredibly valuable. With over 1200 pages, it's a treasure trove of knowledge that surpasses many other general resources in print. You can often find used copies for under $40, making it an absolute steal. In my opinion, it far outshines Axelrod's atlas. Good luck in your search.

[graye]

The fish book publishing scene has become quite niche, with many new titles being self-published by authors, even if they undergo rigorous review processes. Unfortunately, this means that traditional publishers are few and far between, and those that do exist are often hesitant to take on fish-related projects. As a result, print runs tend to be limited, with authors typically ordering just enough copies to meet demand in order to keep costs manageable. It's clear that writing a fish book has become a labor of love, rather than a commercially driven endeavor.

[Ceese]

I've taken note of this conversation for future reference. There's something to be said about growing up in the 80s, surrounded by books that fueled my passions. The internet has its perks – instant access to information and all – but it can also be misleading. I've started building my fish-keeping library, but I envision a future with shelves upon shelves of these treasured books.

[infold]

My all-time favorite book is still Dr. William T. Innes' Exotic Aquarium Fishes. I picked it up back in the 1960s, and as a wide-eyed kid just starting out in the hobby, I was completely absorbed by it. The pronunciation guide was incredibly helpful, teaching me how to say those long scientific names, and the maps gave me a sense of where these amazing fish came from. This book laid the foundation for my knowledge, and even now, decades later, I still enjoy reading it for the sheer pleasure of Dr. Innes' writing style. He was a true gentleman, and his polished language has a certain charm that I've always found endearing. I'm lucky to have two copies - the original 1956 version, beautifully printed in Dr. Innes' family print shop, and the 1966 reprint by TFH Publications, which I keep in my fish room for reference. There's an interesting story behind the reprint, involving some shady dealings by Herbert R. Axelrod, but Dr. Innes' subtle jab at him in the forward is a testament to his class.